A letter to the the Senate's COVID-19 committee has called on bushfire victims to be told how much money will be specifically dedicated to recovery programs in their communities.
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Crossbench MPs Helen Haines and Rebekha Sharkie sent the letter on Tuesday, asking the committee to investigate the extra impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on those in bushfire-affected areas.
The split of funding between multiple bushfire zones will be under the spotlight, including in the Dr Haines' marginal independent held seat of Indi and the electorate of Eden-Monaro about to hold a by-election.
"We're lacking complete and accurate data about the number of applications and range of grants being delivered to businesses through the government's bushfire support packages," Dr Haines said.
"Our communities deserve to know the extent of this public funding that is hitting the ground.
"The two events coming on top of each other also mean it's hard for many to define the source of the impact on their business and I think this is affecting the number of applications for bushfire grants in my electorate."
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Ms Sharkie said believed it was essential for the Senate committee to give special attention to bushfire communities.
"Helen and I are deeply concerned that the administration of recovery efforts has not fully taken into account the compounding impact of COVID-19," she said.
The MPs want details of the delivery of relief and recovery programs and the knock-on effect coronavirus restrictions were having on support packages.
The letter asks COVID-19 committee chair Katy Gallagher to call National Bushfire Recovery Agency and state and community groups as witnesses in the inquiry.
"We note with concern that both our offices have received reports from constituents and community stakeholders alike that individuals, businesses and primary producers may not be receiving bushfire recovery funds in a timely manner and that grant administration has not fully taken into consideration the compounding impact of COVID-19," the letter stated.
"We believe this level of attention in insufficient given the dire situation in which bushfire-affected communities find themselves."
Environment Minister Sussan Ley has assured bushfire victims the government's funding announced this week would benefit their communities.
"Not withstanding the pandemic, we've not forgotten the savage impact of the bushfires on our native wildlife and landscapes with 12 million hectares burnt," she said in question time on Tuesday.
"The Deputy PM (Michael McCormack) and I drove through a shattered landscape from Holbrook to Jingelic (after the fires).
"That patchwork of farms in the bush, with Landcare so much of what they do, they will too be helped by this package.
"We remain committed to help and support the long-term recovery because we know that by caring for our natural environment, we're also caring for the communities and economies that rely on it."
Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said he wanted to "empower communities" with the funding and "let them decide what building back better looks like".
The package will also include $27 million for telecommunications.
"We found there were gaps during the bushfires, it's important we acknowledge that, work with relics and try to make it better for the future to protect more Australians," Mr Littleproud said.
"Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the government and the bushfire recovery agency has not forgotten those victims of these summer's bushfires."
